Chapter 1: Lost in the Forest
The cold air bit at my skin as the rain began to fall, soaking every strand of my brown hair. My name is Lyra, and I shouldn't have been here. The original plan was just to hike a hill on the edge of the village, but somehow I took a wrong turn and now I was lost. The tall, dark trees seemed to mock me, their massive trunks towering like giants ready to swallow me whole.
I tried calling, but there was no signal. Panic began to creep in. Every step felt heavy. Dry twigs crunched under my feet. In the midst of that despair, my eyes caught sight of something strange—a faint, flickering light in the distance. A light that couldn't possibly exist in the thick forest. With a glimmer of hope, I decided to follow it.
Closer, a large silhouette began to take shape. Not a hiker's tent, not a villager's house. It was an old castle. Its spires pierced the night sky, and its stone walls were covered in thick moss. Its windows were empty, looking like blind eyes staring into the darkness. Though eerie, fatigue and cold pushed me to approach. Its old iron gate was slightly ajar, as if inviting me in. Hesitantly, I stepped over the threshold.
The castle was silent, the air inside felt even colder. Thick dust covered every piece of furniture, and cobwebs hung in every corner. Suddenly, a voice made me jump. A deep, yet melodic voice.
"Who are you?"
I turned, and my heart seemed to stop. Standing at the top of the stairs, was a man. His handsome face was pale, and his red eyes glowed like embers. He wore ancient clothes and looked like a prince from a fairy tale, but a dark aura enveloped him.
"I-I'm Lyra," my voice trembled, "I'm lost."
The man descended slowly, soundlessly. He approached, and I could feel the cold emanating from him. "You shouldn't be here," he said, "this place is not for humans."
I took a step back. "Please, I just need shelter from the rain."
He stared at me intensely. I held my breath, waiting for what would happen next. Would he kick me out? Or... harm me? However, his gaze softened, and he let out a long sigh.
"Come in," he said, "it seems fate intends for us to meet."
